Big update after a while.... TWO PrCs!!!
Sword Singer[spoiler]
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"This scenery.... so beautiful.... just like the songs of old times... - Millidia, elf sword singer
Just like bards, where they use music to invoke magical effects, sword singers are warriors that use songs to bestow various benefits upon her allies, including recovering and protective effects.
Becoming a Swordsinger Bards are the most common to seek the path of the sword singer, due to their similar abilities. Rogues and Marshalls that like some kind of art are also known for entering the class. Fighters aspiring for leadership abilities multiclass with other classes to meet the requirements.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Race: any except Drow
Alignment: any nonevil
Base attack bonus: +4
Skills: Concentration 9 ranks, Diplomacy 4 ranks, Perform (sing) 4 ranks
Class SkillsThe sword singer's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather Information (Cha), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Sense Motive (Wis), Swim (Str), and Tumble (Dex)
Skills Points at Each Level : 6 + Int modifier
Hit Dice: d8
BAB Fort Ref Will Abilities
1. +0 +0 +2 +2 Flourishing Weapon Style, Song
2. +1 +0 +3 +3 Charming Presence, Song
3. +2 +1 +3 +3 Disrupting Symphony 1/encounter, Focus Mind
4. +3 +1 +4 +4 Double Song, Song
5. +3 +1 +4 +4 Weakness Symphony 1/encounter
6. +4 +2 +5 +5 Song, Spirit Barrier
7. +5 +2 +5 +5 Swift Song, Triple Song
8. +6 +2 +6 +6 Disrupting Symphony 2/encounter, Song
9. +6 +3 +6 +6 Weakness Symphony 2/encounter
10. +7 +3 +7 +7 Singing Mastery, Song
Class FeaturesFlourishing Weapon Style(Ex): the sword singer wields her weapon with charm and grace. At 1st level, the sword singer can use her Charisma modifier (if positive) instead of her Strength (if using a melee weapon) or Dexterity (if using a ranged weapon) on all attack rolls. At 6th level, the sword singer adds her Charisma modifier (if positive) to all weapon damage rolls.
Songs (Su): the sword singer is capable of using mystic songs to aid her allies in battle. At 1st, 2nd, and every even level thereafter the sword singer learns a new song from the list below to use in battle. Using a song takes a move action. The sword singer can maintain concentration on the song (just like a wizard mantains concentration on a spell). Once the sword singer stops concentrating, a song's effects lasts for 2 rounds. All allies within 30 ft from the sword singer (including herself) that can hear her are affected by the song. Leaving a song's area of effect doesn't end its effects (in fact, once an ally is affected, he or she doesn't need to stay in the area of effect to gain the full benefits of the song). Unless stated otherwise, the bonuses granted by these songs stack with any similar effects.
Song of the Champion: this song tells the story of a legendary hero that have never lost a battle. All allies affected by this song gains a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls, AC and saves. The bonuses increases by 1 for every 5 levels. Only a sword singer of 4th level or higher may choose this song.
Song of Earth: this song is about the neverchanging nature of the Earth. All allies affected by this song gains DR 4/-. The damage reduction increases by 3 for every 5 sword singer levels. Only a sword singer of 4th level or higher may choose this song.
Song of the Elemental Protection: this songs tells the tale of the creation of the fire, water, air and earth. When using this song the sword singer chooses one of the following descriptors: acid, cold, eletricity, fire, sonic. All allies affected by this song gains energy resistance 5 against the descriptor chosen by the sword singer. This resistance increases by 5 for every 5 sword singer levels.
Song of the Expert: this song depicts the feats of a jack-of-all trades. All allies affeced by this song gain a +3 bonus to all skill checks. This bonus increases by 3 for every 5 sword singer levels.
Song of Fire: this song ignites the burning passion of the Fire within the hearts and minds of the listeners. All allies affected by this song gain +2 bonus to saving throws against mind-affecting effects. This bonus increases by 2 for every 5 sword singer levels.
Song of the Hunter: this song tells a tale of a hunter famous for killing any prey with a single blow. All allies wielding weapons affected by this song gains a +1 bonus to their weapon's total threat range. This bonus increases by 1 for every 5 sword singer levels. Only a sword singer of 4th level or higher may choose this song.
Song of the Life: this song depicts the grandeur of Life. All allies affected by this song gains fast healing 3. The fast healing increases by 3 for every 5 sword singer levels.
Song of Vitality: this song tells the story of a immortal hero. All allies affected by this song gains 15 temporary hit points. This bonus increases by 10 for every 5 swordsinger levels. Only a swordsinger of 4th level or higher may choose this song.
Song of Water: this song tells the story of a lake that were always enveloped in fog. everyone affected by this song gains 10% miss chance against all kinds of attacks (including spells). This bonus increases by 10% for every 5 sword singer levels. Only a sword singer of 4th level or higher may choose this song.
Song of Wind: the fierce Wind is mentioned in this song. All allies affected by this song gains +1 bonus to initiative and +5 bonus to all modes of movement. The initiative bonus increases by 1 and the movement increases by 5 for every 5 sword singer levels.
Charming Presence (Su): when the sword singer is singing, even the enemies stop to admire such beauty. Beginning at 2nd level, whenever an opponent within 30 ft of the sword singer successfully attacks her, that opponent must make a Will saving throw (DC 10 + sword singer levels + her Charisma modifier) or becomes
fascinated for 1 round. This is a mind-affecting effect.
Disrupting Symphony (Sp): the sword singer also knows how to use her voice to debilitate her enemies. Starting at 3rd level, the sword singer can use this ability as a standard action (even if she is currently concentrating on another song). All enemies within 30 ft of the sword singer must make a Fortitude saving throw (DC 10+ sword singer levels + Charisma modifier) or be
slowed for 5 rounds. This ability is usable once per encounter at 3rd, and the sword singer gains one more use at 8th level.
Focus Mind (Ex): the sword singer trains to be able to act while singing. Starting at 3rd level, the sword singer can mantain concentration on her songs as a swift action each round.
Double Song (Ex): as the sword singer progresses in her craft, she learns how to chain various songs to create a greater effect. Starting at 4th level, the sword singer can use 2 different songs with a single move action, and can concentrate on both of them as if they were a single song.
Weakness Symphony (Sp): the sword singer sings about lack of confidence and fear, creating an effect that weakens those who hear it. Beginning at 5th level, the sword singer can use this ability as a standard action (even if she is currently concentrating on another song). All enemies within 60 ft of the sword singer must make a Will saving throw (DC 10+ sword singer levels + Charisma modifier) or take a -2d6 penalty to Strength for 5 rounds. This ability is usable once per encounter at 5th level, and the sword singer gains one more use at 9th level.
Spirit Barrier (Ex): the sword singer envelops herself in a protective shield. Starting at 6th level, the sword singer gains spell resistance equal to 10 + 2 times her class levels.
Swift Song (Ex): the sword singer can use her songs in battle faster. Starting at 7th level, if the sword singer wants, she may use a song as a swift action instead of a move action.
Triple Song (Ex): the sword singer can chain even more songs, creating truly beautiful and powerful effects. Starting at 7th level, the sword singer can use up to 3 different songs with a single move action, and can concentrate on them all as if they were a single song.
Singing Mastery (Ex): at 10th level, the sword singer reaches the pinnacle of her singing abilities. The sword singer can use up to 4 songs at a time using the same action, and can mantain concentration on them as if they were a single song. All songs' duration after the sword singer stops concentrating becomes 3 rounds. The sword singer's levels are 5 higher when determining a song's effects. Finally, Disrupting Symphony and Weakness Symphony's DCs increase by 3.
Fluffy Stuff[spoiler]
Playing a Sword SingerSword singers' fighting style varies according to the weapon they are wielding (unlike what the prestige class name suggests, sword singers don't always use swords or blades to fight). Quite often sword singers pick some kind of ranged weapon so they can keep their distance from the heat of battle while providing support with their songs.
Even though the sword singer's main function is to provide support, she also has to struggle to survive on the battlefield so her allies win the battle.
Combat: sword singers commonly open combat with a powerful song (such as Song of Vitality or Song of the Champion), then start moving on the battlefield for a better position, or even joining the battlefront. Sword singers also uses her Disrupting and Weakness Symphony in order to win the battle.
Advancement: sword singers often choose feats like Improved Trip and Improved Disarm to have some combat options aside from going to full offense. Those who do choose to go full offense often pick the Two Weapon Fighting line of feats. Sword singers that favor ranged combat often pick Manyshot, Point Blank shot and Precise Shot. Sword singers also have to choose which songs to pick: Song of the Champion and Song of the Hunter if going for an offensive approach; and Song of Life and Song of Vitality (and many others) if going for a defensive approach. When multiclassing, ssword singers choose classes that enhance even more what they're trying to accomplish.
Resources: swordsingers are by themselves, so any kind of necessity they might have, the sword singers themselves should go and acquire what's needed.
Sword Singers in the world"Even though this melody has a sad tone to it, I feel like giving free booze for everyone...." - Din, barkeeper
The craft of the sword singers started with the elves. Since they love various kinds of art, some elves tried blending their passion for such with fighting. There is another history, where the elves created the swordsinger in order to rival the drow elves' Blade Dancer, a warrior that uses dances of great power in battle, that grants benefits to allies and cripples enemies.
After some time, the elves ended up sharing the path of the sword singer with other races. Now it's possible to see halflings, humans and even soft hearted half-orcs wielding the power of the sword singer. Except the drow, that claims their blade dancer is more powerful than the sword singer.
For most of the time, sword singers are seen as heroes, users of ancient powers that bring justice with their songs.
Elves in general that see members of other races as sword singers either feel good (another race using their knowledge proves that their power is superior). There are a few that don't approve it, and end up acting indifferent.
Drow tend to say things like "inferior powers" or "this is a result of jealousy", since they have the Blade Dancer, that in their view is superior in every way.
Daily Life: most swordsingers are travelling adventurers, but there are some who choose to live in a single place. Either way, when the sword singer is not adventuring, she might be doing some work for in town, or even doing what they do best: singing, be it in a tavern or in a crowded street.
Notables: It is said the first sword singers achieved power beyond expectations. These very few masters called themselves Sword Muses, and their songs held the power to make the earth tremble, the sky split, and even mighty dragons would cower in presence of a Sword Muse's powerful voice. But then, time passed and the knowledge was lost. But there are rumors that few Sword Muses are roaming the world without identifying themselves...
Organizations: sword singers tend to not bind themselves to any organization, prefering a life where they are free to go where they any time. There are very few sword singers who join the military and quickly achieve leading positions, due to their abilities.
NPC Reaction Most of the time sword singers are mistaken for bards, due to their similar abilities (some of them started their career as bards, though). As such, people who hear sword singer singing simply love it, no matter where it is. It seems quite impossible for a sword singer to be hated by someone (except for those who actually don't like music).
Sword Singers in the gameSword singers are meant to be in the support role. As such, they tend to lessen the burden of the wizard and cleric (since they can take a support role if needed), or even give the party even more firepower, while still having some fighting capabilities.
Adaptation: sword singers might be bards that use different sources to power their songs, or bards that learned of new ways to improve their music, or Marshalls that inspire their allies through singing.
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